Last updated May 2026
Evans Bay is a harbourside area at the southern end of Wellington Harbour, tucked between Hataitai, Kilbirnie and Rongotai. The bay takes its name from George Samuel Evans, one of Wellington’s early settlers. Today it is known for its marina, a shared cycling and walking path, and a stretch of Wellington’s waterfront that carries an unusually dense historical record — this was the site of New Zealand’s first patent slip and, from the late 1930s, the city’s international flying-boat terminal. A small population of around 1,100 people lives in the area’s residential streets set back from Evans Bay Parade.
Practical Information
| Location | Southern Wellington Harbour, between Hataitai, Kilbirnie and Rongotai |
|---|---|
| Marina | Evans Bay Marina — sailing and boating facility at the south end of the bay |
| Cycling/walking | Evans Bay Parade shared path — part of the City to Airport Scenic Route |
| Heritage site | Cog Park — former patent slip site, now 1.2 ha public reserve |
| Population | ~1,122 (2018 census), 435 dwellings |
About Evans Bay
Evans Bay sits on the western side of the bay of the same name, sheltered by the Miramar Peninsula to the east and looking back toward the southern city suburbs. The waterfront is defined by Evans Bay Parade, which carries a shared pedestrian and cycling lane as part of Wellington’s City to Airport Scenic Route. This route connects the central city with Kilbirnie and Rongotai along the harbourfront, passing Cog Park and the marina along the way.
Evans Bay Marina sits at the south end of the bay and is a working sailing and boating facility, used by private vessel owners with berths and slipway access.
The Evans Bay Patent Slip
The Evans Bay Patent Slip is one of Wellington’s most significant industrial heritage sites. The first slipway on the site was commissioned in May 1863, established by the Wellington Provincial Council to enable maintenance of vessel hulls. A larger permanent structure followed: in 1871, Wellington businessmen formed the Wellington Patent Slip Company and began construction, completing the slip in May 1873. The result was New Zealand’s first patent slip — a 200-ton, 180-foot cradle running on parallel rails, hauled by chains running over a cogwheel winch driven by two steam engines.
The slip operated for decades before eventually closing. Wellington City Council acquired the land in 1990 and redeveloped the site as Cog Park, a 1.2-hectare public reserve. The cog wheel from the original steam winch gives the park its name and is retained on site as a heritage feature. The area is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand and classified as a heritage zone by Wellington City Council.
Flying Boats Over Evans Bay
From 1938 until 1956, Evans Bay served as Wellington’s international flying-boat terminal. TEAL (the forerunner to Air New Zealand) operated a permanent overseas service from Evans Bay to Australia from October 1950, with flying boats landing and departing from the calm inner harbour waters. Short Sunderland and Consolidated Catalina aircraft also used the bay intermittently during the 1940s. The era ended when land-based aircraft replaced flying boats in international aviation, but Evans Bay’s role as an aviation gateway left a notable imprint on the bay’s history.
What Visitors Say
“Cog Park is one of those Wellington spots you cycle past dozens of times before stopping. The old cog wheel and the info about the patent slip and flying boats make it worth a proper look — the history packed into this small patch of harbour is remarkable.”
Where to Learn More
Evans Bay on Wikipedia — bay geography, history and suburb overview.
Evans Bay Patent Slip on Wikipedia — full history of the slip, its construction and heritage status.
Evans Bay Patent Slip Area — Wellington City Heritage — heritage context for the patent slip and Cog Park precinct.
Evans Bay Marina — Wellington City Council — marina facilities and boating access information.
FAQ
Who was Evans Bay named after?
The bay is named after George Samuel Evans, one of Wellington’s early European settlers.
What is Cog Park?
Cog Park is a 1.2-hectare public reserve on the site of the former Evans Bay Patent Slip. It features walking paths, a shared pedestrian-cycle lane and the original cog wheel from the steam-powered winch. It is listed as a Category 2 Historic Place.
What was the Evans Bay Patent Slip?
New Zealand’s first patent slip, established in 1863 and rebuilt in 1873. It was used for hauling vessels out of the water for hull maintenance, using a large cradle on rails powered by steam engines.
Was Evans Bay really an airport?
Not a conventional airport — but it was Wellington’s international flying-boat terminal from 1938 to 1956. TEAL (the Air New Zealand predecessor) operated flying-boat services to Australia from the bay from 1950.
Is there cycling at Evans Bay?
Yes. Evans Bay Parade has a shared pedestrian and cycling lane forming part of the City to Airport Scenic Route linking central Wellington to Kilbirnie and Rongotai.
Where is Evans Bay Marina?
The marina is at the southern end of Evans Bay, on Evans Bay Parade. It is a working sailing and boating facility with berths for private vessels.
Evans Bay is part of the wider Wellington Suburbs guide. Neighbouring Hataitai is to the west, and Rongotai — Wellington’s airport gateway — borders the bay to the south.
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